The official Cincinnati area temperature dipped to a record low of minus 7 degrees Fahrenheit this morning beating prior records of minus 3 degrees set in 1928 and 1887.

Some schools either canceled or delayed classes, but you still have to report to work. If that workspace happens to be a warm office, lucky you. There are those reporting to job sites in the great outdoors while the conditions are far less than ideal.

Cows need to be milked

Regardless of the temperature the Griffith family of Southern-Hills Holsteins near Mount Orab journey out to the barn to milk, feed and care for their 50 milk cows and 100 dry cows and heifers.

The cows are milked twice a day, according to Chad Griffith. Despite how it sounds, milking the cows on below zero days isn't bad. When the cows are in their stalls and the barn is closed, it's actually cozy, he said.

Paige Peiffer of Lebanon attaches the milking machine to her cow during the Lebanon Area Fair on Thursday, July 31, 2014. Milk from the dairy cows milked during the fair does go to a milk processor and is sold for consumption right here in Lebanon County.. Jeremy Long -- Lebanon Daily News(Photo: Jeremy Long)

"The cows produce enough heat so it's not terribly unpleasant in the barn," Griffith said. "If the cows weren't in the barn, everything would freeze up."

The biggest challenge is operating the farm equipment. Nothing wants to run when it's cold, he said.

"The cold drains batteries in a heartbeat," Griffith said.

Throughout the day the livestock requires tending, from feeding and watering to proper bedding and manure removal.

For the farmers, lots of clothes are a must, Griffith said. Strategically placed space heaters are also helpful.

"We do what we have to, and when we get to the point where we have to get warmed up, we take a break," he said. "You just gotta plan and do it intelligently."

Managing cold with a plan

Strategic planning is part of the daily routine at Messer Construction Co.

"Every morning we discuss the work that's going to occur and discuss the hazards we face, and what we're going to do to control them," according to Northern Region Safety Manager Sid Pomeroy. "Obviously, the weather is a big one for us."

Proper clothing is essential and dressing in layers, he said. When workers report to the job site, every effort is made to ensure that they are dressed appropriately for the temperature.

Messer Construction is launching a $12.5 million project to build a new corporate headquarters along Court Street in the West End.(Photo: Provided/Kait Bell)

"We also have temporary heating on our job sites," Pomeroy said. Some sites are enclosed with plastic in order to keep in heat. Some worksites have heat and others have temporary office spaces where workers can get in out of the weather to warm up.

At job sites where workers are routinely out in the elements, foremen monitor the workers, Pomeroy said. If they see workers struggling, they rotate the jobs.

A healthy diet is also important and keeping hydrated, he said.

"You can become dehydrated this time of year," Pomeroy said. "We always have water on site; lots and lots of drinking water at all of our job sites."

Firefighting in the extremes

Proper attire is critical in dealing with temperature extremes.

Covington Fire and Rescue provides firefighters with two sets of turnout gear and an insulated jacket, according to Assistant Chief Chris Kiely. Firefighters also carry cold weather bags equipped with extra gloves and hats so if their things get wet they can change, he said.

Their gear is designed to protect them from both the elements and hazards of their work, he said.

When battling a fire during extreme temperatures, the department also calls the Transit Authority of Northern Kentucky for a bus.

"If people are displaced at a large fire, we can put them on there until they can hook them up with the Red Cross, and it's good for our guys to sit in for just a break," Kiely said.

Looking for and clearing ice from the area while battling a fire is vital for firefighter safety, he said. Fire trucks carry rock salt for this purpose.

Also important is working in teams of at least two. If someone is hypothermic from the cold, they could become disoriented, which is why working with a partner is important, Kiely said.